Signal



" April 214, 1942 I s. H. CALDWELL 2,280,186l

- l SIGNAL Filed June 19,v 1939 INVENTOR.

STUART H. CALDWELL MM M V l ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 21, 1942 Stuart H; Caldwell, Detroit,l"Mch., assigner to Kelch Heater Company,Detro'it, Micha a cor-` pcration'of Michigan i fAljiplicationl June `19, 1939, SeriallNlo. 279,958 l x fr claims. (01.177-1324) The present invention relates toasignal, and

more particularly to a control device such` as a u lever `or foot pedal associated with means to imposea wabblemction thereon without inter-l ieringwwith normal ber. l

`For purposes of illustration Ilhave chosen to showa foot pedalofthe type` conventionally er'nj ployed` in automotive-vehicles as an accelerator pedal. It will be readily understood the invention is capable of much broader use and `may be associated with any control member adapted to control bythe `control membeengaged by an operator.` l I `In developing a signal of` this type a number of important considerations were `keptlin ,mindl In` the first place `it wast desired to developV a signalwhich would make itself Lfelt as a tactual signal andwhich would be bothI inaudible `and invisible. to develop `a signal which'` would Aapprise the operatorfwithout inl any way interfering with normal control `by `the operator through `the medium of the `control member; It was further;`

desiredtol develop a signal `whichl vwould make itself known tol the operator in what may be termed a gradual sense rather-than startling the operator or distracting his attention from lhis duties.` `It was further desired to develop a signal which wouldbe economical to produce and economical in operation, and yet-which would besturdy and dependable. "1 I The foregoing comprises theprincipallobjects of "the `invention `which have been accomplished by means of an arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawingyin which Figure 1 is a more or less diagrammatic plan y view `of one embodiment of my invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the device shown in'Figure l; Y Figure 3 is a plan view of :a diierent embodi-` ment of my invention; Figure 4 is a side envauon of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3; y Figure 5 is a section on the line 5 5, Figure 4; .Figure 6 is a side elevation `partly in section illustrating yet another `embodiment of my invention;`

`Figure 'I is an end view` illustrating yet an.- otlier embodiment otmy invention; V 1

Figure 8 is a sideelevation partly in section illustrating another embodiment of my invention; FigureSAis a viewin the direction `of arrows 8A, Figure 8; and I `Figure `9,is an end lustrating yetanother embodiment of my tion. Y

.I have illustrated a number of diierent 4ernbodirnentsof `my invention; but these are tol be regarded as `merely illustrative and suggestive ,of an arrangement of parts adapted to carry out the broad principles of my invention.

y Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, I haveshown anwaccelerator pedal I0 .which is pivoted to `a bracket II by means of a pair of dependinglugs f I2or .the like. The pivotconnection formed `by Inthe second place, itl was desired the bracket II and the lugs I2 is a loose connec tion and is adapted to permit a wabble motion ofthepedal I0 in addition to its normalcontrol motion about the axis of a pin I3 interconnect#v4 ing the bracket IIr and the lugs I2.` nsapractical matter, it is necessary only to provide' the 1 necessary loosenessin this connection, although iffdesired substantially universal movementof f the `pedal Ill may be provided by means oiga universal joint or the like illustrated in some of the other modifications. As is well understood, the pedal III is adapted to be connected toa rod or link (not shown in thisiigure), by meansof aconnection indicated generally at I4 in Figure `1. The connection lltransmitsmotion ,to the rod `,or link referred to which turn controls" the `opening and closing movement of aconven'- tionalthrottle valve,` or the like. f As is readily understood, motion of the pedal III` aboutthel axis of the `pin I3 constitutesthe controlmotion, or in other words a motionV which controls the position of the throttle valve` Mo?v tion of the pedal I0 in any other` directionfwhich doesnot have a component parallel` toffthetso` calledcontrol motion is ineffective to `exertja controlinfluencel on the throttle valve. u I have taken advantage of this fact, to `devise afisignal whichwill apprise the operator ofvsome condition, or the like, without in any Wayjinter'- tering` with normal` control of the throttle view `partly in lsection il- 55,

through the pedal Ill.` As illustrated inFigures land 2, the signal attachment comprises'a solenoid I5 having windings indicatedat I6, and a movable plunger or core` `II. spring IB'for moving `theplunger in oneldirectio'n', and its motion in theoppos'it'e. directionwill be caused upon energization of the windings, I6'.

The plunger I1 is connected to the free-end ci By me" free end of` the pedal I refer to the end opposite the pedall by means of a link I9`.

to its pivotal .connection to the bracket I `I .LT`h`e link I9 may be connected Ato the Vpedal I'I) by means of a bracket 2|] in almanner `to provide pivotal movement therebetween, or, if" ldesired.,

I have: .shownja v the relative pivotal movement may be the result nections, I substantially reduce initial cost of installation and kfurther contribute to its ef- 'lciency in operation inasmuch as the number of parts subject to failure is thereby reduced.

The solenoid I5 is connected to a suitable` Y source of current which may be the conventional l storage battery provided in motor vehicles. Suitable means which form no part `of thepresent'- invention may alternately make and break a circuit from the battery to the solenoid I5 uponjattainment of a predetermined condition,` or the Such means are shown by way of` 'examv like. ple in my prior Patent No. 2,185,329.

As will be evident, intermittent energization of the windings I6 produce a wabble motion of the pedal I0 about an axis which is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the pedal I0 and which passes through the pivot connection formed by the bracket II and the lugs I2.

This results in an arcuate motion-of the end of the pedal I0 remote from the pivot connection referred to. Inasmuch as the connection between the pedal I0 and the link connecting it to the throttle is also a loose connection, this back and forth wabble motion of the free end of the pedal `Il) exerts no control influence on the throttle. At the same time this wabble motion of the pedal I0 at once apprises the operator of the vehicle that a predetermined condition has been attained.

Referring next to Figures 3 to 5, I have illustrated a somewhat different embodiment of my invention. In this instance the pedal 35 is illustrated as connected by means of a ball and socket joint 3| for substantially universal movement. Sincethe pedal is connected to a linkfor controlling the opening and closing motion of the throttle by means of a connection indicated at 32, universal movement of the throttle is substantially limited and for practical purposes is restrained to motion about an axis passing through the center of the universal joint 3| and transverse to the long axis of the pedal 30. Motion of the pedal is further restricted to this plane by connection to the solenoid, which will subsequently be described.

Projecting laterally from the pedal 30 substantially adjacent the ball and socket connection 3| is an arm 33. In Figure 4 I have illustrated this arm as somewhat above the ball and socket joint in order to avoid confusion in the drawing. It will be appreciated, however, that the arm 33 may, and preferably does, extend substantially in the horizontal plane of the ball and socket joint 3 l v In order to transmit a signal to the pedal 3U, I provide a solenoid 34, which conveniently may be mounted on the floor board of the vehicle. The solenoid 34 is provided with suitable windings, and a plunger (not shown), the plunger Vbeing connected by a link 35 to a bell crank 36 pivoted as indicated at31 to a bracket 38 mounted on the floor board of the vehicle. One arm of 4the-,bell crank 36 is connected to the arm 33. As is most clearly shown in Figure 4, reciprocation ofythe link 35 along theaxis of the solenoid 34j results in a substantially .vertical oscillation of ing oscillation of the pedal 30 about a longitudinal axis passing through the ball and socket joint 3|. The amount of this motion is quite small, and as will be evident does not in any way interfere with normal control by the operator.

Referring next to Figure 6, I have illustrated a somewhat different arrangement of parts for accomplishing the type of wabble motion illustrated in Figures 3 to 5. In this instance the pedal is pivotally mounted on the floor board vby means of a ball and socket joint, indicated In this figure I have illustrated at 42 afrod interconnecting the free end of the pedal 40 with the throttle of the vehicle. The pedal 40 fis'providedvwith a laterally extending arm 43, similar to the arm 33, best shown in Figure 3.

In this instance a solenoid 44, provided with a f plunger 45 and a return spring 46, is mounted the arm 33.A This in turn results in a correspond- 1 beneath the floor board and is interconnected to the free end of the arm 43 through the medium of a lbell crank 41 and a loosely mounted link 48. Again, if desired, the link 43 may be provided with a pivotal. connection with the end of the arm 43", but for reasons of economy I prefer to provide for relative movement between these parts by the simple expedient of providing a loose connection. A loose connection which is entirely suitable for this purpose, may result from the provision of soft rubber bushings interposed between the arm 43 and the link 48.

The operation of this embodiment of my invention is identical with the operation of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 3 to 5, and differs therefrom principally in that the solenoid is concealed beneath the fioor board.

, Referring now to Figure 7, I illustrate an embodiment of my. invention which is characterized principally by. the provision of a different type of motor. In this figure the pedal 50 is pivoted to a bracket 5I by means of a pin 52 carried by a pair of depending lugs 53. This pivot connection, as in thekcase previously referred to, is a loose connection which permits a wabble motion of the pedal 5|! in addition to the usual control motion. A motor indicated generally at 54 is provided with an, eccentric pin 55 carried by a rotor 56. The eccentric pin is connected by means of a link 51 to'a bracket 58 carried by the pedal 50. The motor,54 may be of any suitable type. It may, for example, be a small electric motor, or it may be a duid pressure motor operable either from a manifold suction or from a suitable source of pressure available in the normal operation of the motor vehicle.

While'I have illustrated this type of motor as carried abovethe floor board and connected to the pedal 5I) in the same manner as the solenoid I5, it 'will be appreciated that a motor of this type may, if desired, be substituted for the solenoids I5, 34 and44 in the embodiments previously described or for the solenoids described in Figures 8 and 9. It will likewise be appreciated that the motor 54 may be disposed beneath the floor board if desired and connected to impart a wabble motion to the pedal by means of suitable linkage and connecting means extending through the floor board of the vehicle.

I have illustrated a somewhat different embodiment of my invention in Figures 8 and 8A, in which the pedal 6G is pivoted adjacent its lower lefthand end by an appropriate connection, which may take the form of a universal joint or a loose connection between interconnected parts as indicatedjat 60a. The pedal 60 is connected 'by means of a rod 6I to the throttle, and its control motion will accordingly be a pivotal motion about a horizontal `axis passing through pivot connection 60a. In order to impart a Wabble motion to the` pedal 6U in the form `of an oscillation about an axis extending parallel to the long direction of the pedal 60, I provide a laterally extendingarm 62 corresponding in allrespects to the arm 33 shown in Figure 3. Beneath `the oor board of the vehicle I provide a solenoid arm 62 will be provided as in themodiications previously discussed.

By positioning the solenoid as shown in Figure 8, the necessity of providing linkage for transforming the reciprocating motion of the plunger of the solenoid into a reciprocating or oscillating motion in a different directionis obviated.

Referring now specifically to Figure 9, I have illustrated a somewhat different arrangement of parts for accomplishing my purpose. In this case a pedal 10 ispivoted adjacent the lower rear end to a bracket 1| whichmay provide a ball and socket connection or which may permit the wabble motion desired by reason of the looseness of the connection. Loosely connected to the upper free end of the bracket 10 is a rod or link 12 passing through an aperture 13 in the oor board `1li and adapted Ato interconnect the pedal with the throttle control. In this instance I p-refer to provide a solenoid 15 which may be mounted beneath the floor board 14. The solenoid comprises a winding 16, a plunger 11, and a return spring `18 for the plunger. In order to `impart a wabble motion to the pedal 10 through the mediumof reciprocatory motion of the plunger 11, I

termed the control motion ofthe control member.

Thus for example a manually gripped lever which is'adapted to be moved forward and backward to control some device may have imparted thereto a lateral wabble for attracting the attention of the operator.

While Ihave illustrated and `described several speciiic embodiments of my invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various additions, modications, omissions, combinations and substitutions may be made which will be within the spirit and scope of my invention as defined by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A control lever mounted for control movement about a first axis and for signalling movement about a second axis perpendicular tosaid rst axis, and motor means for imparting signalling motion to said lever by pivoting said lever about said second axis.

2. A control lever mounted for control movement about a first axis, and for signalling movement about a second axis perpendicular to said interconnect the plunger with the link 12 by means of a rod 19. Rod 19 may conveniently be pivoted as indicated at 80 to the plunger 11, and

the connection generally indicated at 8| between the rod 19 and the link 12 maybe a loose connection. If desired, although it is not regarded as necessary, a second pivot connection may be provided between the rod 19 and its connection to the link 12.

As will be readily apparent, intermittent energization of the solenoid 15 will transmit a transverse wabble motion to the free end of the pedal 10. This wabble motion will immediately attract the attention of the operator whose foot is on the accelerator pedal without in any way affecting his controlover the motor.

The foregoing specific embodiments of my invention will serve to suggest many ofthe possible applicationsthereof.` It will be readily apparent that instead of being applied to a lever adapted to operate as a foot pedal, it may with equal effectiveness be applied directly to a manually gripped member, or a pedal which is mounted for pure reciprocation rather than for a pivotal movement about its support. An'important conrst axis and parallel to'said lever, and motor means for imparting asignalling motion to said lever by pivoting said second lever about said second axis.

3. A control lever mounted for control movement about a rst axis, and for signalling movement about a second axis perpendicular to said `first axis and perpendicular also to, said lever, and motor Vmeans for imparting a signalling motion to said lever by pivoting said second lever about said second axis. j

4. A control lever pivoted for substantially universal movement, said lever being movable in one direction to exert a control effect, normally inoperative motor means, `connections between said motor means and said lever arranged to permit motion of said lever in a` direction to exert a control effect while preventing other move-` cillatory motion about the longitudinal axis of l said pedal.

nected to said member for moving said member 6. A control member mounted for control movement in a first direction and for bodily signalling movement in a direction transverse to said control movement, and motor means conbodily in said signalling direction to impart a tactual signal to the operator, 7. A control member mounted for control movement in a rst direction and for bodily signalling movement in a direction transverse to said control movement, and motor means connected to said member for oscillating said member bodily in said signalling direction to impart a tactual e signal to the operator.

STUART H. 

